Baby Gifts - A Sweet How To

One of my college best friends is expecting her first child and I wanted to give her a unique gift in celebration of their new arrival. Several months ago I picked up some antique baby clothes at an estate sale. I'm not sure exactly what I was planning on when I bought them, but they were just adorable and I decided I must have them!

As I was gift brainstorming it dawned on me - I had the makings of the perfect, hand-made, baby gift! I pulled out the baby clothes, some vintage fabric I'd been collecting and some vintage lace, then I made a trip to the craft store.

At the craft store I purchased a white shadow box, cute crocheted flowers and wooden letters to spell B-A-B-Y.

The end result:

Here are the steps!

Supplies:

• Shadow Box
• Fabric Glue
• Vintage Fabric
• Vintage Lace
• Wooden Letters
• Crocheted Flowers
• Pins (sewing pins or corsage pins) 
• Baby Clothes

Step 1 - Cover the Board with Fabric

I always buy the shadow boxes with foam core or fabric boards, that way you can choose to pin items, versus gluing them to the board. Because I work with mainly vintage or antique materials I don't want to damage the items that I'm showcasing. I do the same thing in the displays I create for vintage purses.

My first step is always the items that take gluing, because glue needs time to dry. I select a piece of vintage fabric that I think will compliment the items I'm displaying and cut it to fit the board. I recommend using a fabric that is relatively thin, as most of the shadow boxes are cut to the foam backing and don't have a lot of wiggle room. Thicker fabric may cause you issues in getting the shadow box back together.

I use a fabric glue for this step, as it's usually of higher quality, doesn't normally bleed through the fabric and dries clear.

Step 2 - Cover the Letters

I bought unfinished wooden letters at the craft store, but white or colors would work too, it all depends on the piece you're showcasing. Because the antique baby clothes were very neutral in tone I wanted the lettering to feel as organic as possible and stay in the creamy beige family of hues.

I cut vintage lace pieces into squares a little bigger than the letters and then applied glue to the letters and laid them on the lace. 

After letting the letters dry for a bit, to make sure the lace stuck in place, I trimmed up the lace around the letters.

The end result is letters with really wonderful texture and character that add a lot of charm to the piece!

 Step 3 - Layout and Design

The next thing I do is take all of my pieces for the shadow box and start laying them out on the board, testing different options for layouts and designs. To do this with the crochet flowers I cut the backing around each flower, that way I could keep them stuck to the backing, but be able to move each flower wherever I wanted.






After some fiddling and rearranging this is the layout I decided worked best:

Step 4 - Gluing and Pining

The final step in this process is actually putting everything in it's place. I used a ruler to help ensure that the letters were placed evenly from both the sides and the bottom of the board. I wanted to make sure the letters were completely visible when the box frame was put over them. Then I glue them in place.

Next I placed the baby top on the board and arranged it until none of the little jacket was over an edge. From here it was just a matter of adding the hidden pins. I like to apply pins where they can't be seen from the insides of the fabric, hiding them in the sleeves and shoulders, along the seems, one in the middle and then I used one pin to hold the flaps of the jacket shut. It's the only visible metal and I made sure that only a tiny sliver was showing.

The point is to use enough pins that the weight of the piece is held evenly, it doesn't sag or droop and that there are enough of them in place that it doesn't strain or damage the fabric. There are eight large corsage pins in this piece for reference.

After that's done you just apply the crocheted flowers and stand the board up to test all your materials. If nothing sags or moves you're in good shape. If you notice something isn't hanging right or staying up, reapply glue or pins until you're happy.

Place in frame and seal shut! 

Photo Update - I don't wear brooches! 10 Ways to Style Vintage Brooches

For those of you who may have missed my 10-part series on new or creative ways to wear vintage brooches this is an update! I went to a fun fashion meet and greet the other day and I wanted to show how vintage pieces could be made to look modern and fashion forward. So that morning I got up, pulled three vintage pieces from my shop collection and put together the necklace you see to the right.

I loved it! Hopefully you'll like it as well or be inspired to create a fashion statement with a vintage brooch of your own!

If you'd like to see the original posts from this blog series click the links below:

Part 1 - The Brooch as a Necklace - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on-ways-to.html

Part 2 - The Brooch as a Ribbon Necklace - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-ii-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

Part 3 - The Brooch as a Headband - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-iii-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

Part 4 - The Brooch as a Hair Comb - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-iv-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

Part 5 - The Brooch as a Scarf Tack - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-v-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

Part 6 - The Brooch as a Bracelet - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-vi-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

Part 7 - The Brooch as a Handbag Accessory - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-vii-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

Part 8 - The Brooch as a Hat Adornment - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-viii-i-dont-wear-brooches-series.html

Part 9 - The Brooch as a Glove Charm - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-ix-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

Part 10 - The Brooch as a Belt Buckle - http://thriftinginthelou.blogspot.com/2012/04/part-x-i-dont-wear-brooches-series-on.html

The Vendors at this Week's Soulard Craft & Art Show!

The list of folks vending this Saturday from 9-2pm in the Soulard Market Park has been announced! Where I could I've created hot links for the vendor's sites/shops!! Check us out!

Business Name	Booth #
Sister's Gra	1
Earth Star Designs	2
Whitty Creations	3
Handmade Family	4
Beltshazzar Jewels	5
Emily's Escape / Brian Anderson	6
Handbuilder	7
HBhandmades	9
Beqi clothing (sharing with Karen)	10
Binx Ceramic (Sharing with Beqi)	10
Villa Design	11
South City Studio	12
DownZipper Sewing	13
The Sewing Baier	14
Scarlett and Maria	21
The Sassy Seamstress	22
Justenuff Scents, LLC	23
Vintage Baubles & Bits	24
FAB Designs	25
Hemptress Designs (formerly Homemade Hemp by Kandy)	26
whimsy bomb	27
Windfall Arts	28
Envisage Vintage Jewelry	29
wild things	30
Joy's Creations	31
SUZANNAS BANDANAS	32
Spring Street Jewelry	33
Lindsay Marie Designs	34
ViviLee Jewelry	35
densmithart	36
Suzeesjewls	37
Adrienne's Angels	38
grumpyoldgoat	39
Bridget Fainne	40
Shay Norton Designs	41
pairabelles	50
Gertie McFarlands Paper Goods & Whimsies	51
Canopy Jewelry	52
Faux Front	53
Karmik Kreations	54
My Way Mosaics	55
Lady Starlight Glassworks	56
Dess Handbags	57
Key of A	58
T&J "Too Cute" Teacup Art	59
Safety Pups	60
Groovyware

Crafty Me - Turning a Pair of Heels into a Ring Display

I saw a photo of a super cute ring display online the other day and I thought - I can make that! It starts with a pair of heels, cute fabric and a piece of seat foam!

I've been thrifting vintage shoes for awhile now and I really loved the faux alligator print on these black heels, but the lining was pretty shot. So I decided to  use them for my project. They were the perfect size and shape for what I wanted to accomplish.

The fabric I picked up at The Upcycle Exchange - I traded in a bunch of costume jewelry pieces and odds and ends for store credit and loved this because of the lime green stripes that are very similar to my logo. I thought the fabric would look cute, but hopefully not be too overwhelming once rings were added to it. I made a point to minimize the amount of flowers you see so that print wouldn't be too busy.

There are only four other items you need to complete this project - scissors, fabric glue, foam cushion and a pen. I bought the foam cushion at an arts and crafts store - it was meant to be a seat cushion for a chair, but it's the perfect amount for a smaller project like this.




Supply list:

• A pair of heels
• Fabric (about 1/4th of a yard)
• Foam cushion (1-1 1/2in thick)
• Fabric glue
• Scissors
• Pen

Step One - Foam Patterns
Trace the toe of the shoe on the foam. You'll want to be pretty close to perfect on this, as this particular piece will slide down into the shoe itself. You should measure it to be about 1/2in longer than where the lip of the toe starts, that way it sticks out enough when put in the shoe to actually hold a ring. (See photos)

Once you have traced out the toe of the shoe measure the width of the shoe every 1in or so. You'll need to cut out pieces in these lengths for the rest of the holders.  I needed seven pieces for this pair of heels, but you may need more or less depending on the thickness of your foam and the length of the shoe. I made each of my foam pieces 1in wide and then the different length measurements I had taken earlier.

Basic Foam Pattern Idea

Step Two - Fabric Pattern


The next step is creating fabric patterns for each piece of foam. You want to measure each piece of foam and then trace a pattern on the fabric to match it. You'll measure the length of the foam and add an inch to each side, then you'll measure the height, double it and add it to the width. So if you have a 2in x 1 1/2in by 1in piece of foam your fabric square should be 4in by 4in. (Note, I did not cover the bottom of the foam pieces, the bottom of the cubes was left uncovered so it would be even).

Step Three - Glue Fabric to Foam

Cut out your fabric squares and then we're ready to glue! This step is like wrapping a present. I put fabric glue all over the fabric, lined the edge of one of my cubes of foam up to the edge of the fabric (be sure to leave yourself the inch on either side) then rolled the cube so the fabric covers one side, then the top, then the second side. From here you'll create the little folds on the edges just like wrapping a box, adding glue as you need to hold down the flaps. Do this to both edges so that only the bottom of your foam cube is uncovered.

Do this with all of your foam cubes.

Step Four - Assemble

Here I put glue on the inside of the shoe and began placing my fabric covered foam inside the shoe just like the pattern showed. First the pointed toe, then the longest piece of foam to the shortest piece of foam. You want the foam to fit snug, but not too snug that it bunches up. Let the glue dry and you're all set!

Crafty Me - Earring Display

Final product.

I was looking for ways to spice up my display for shows when I came across this idea for creating a showpiece out of a picture frame. I just so happen to keep a look out for neat frames when I'm estate sale shopping - so I had the perfect frame ready to go! It's a pretty simple process - but the end result is awesome!

Step One - Frame Selection

I really liked this frame because it had a slightly vintage/old-fashioned look to it. Plus the details add depth. If you use a flat frame your jewelry will stick out past the frame and it'll look a bit odd. Choose a frame that has about an inch worth of depth in it. It'll offset your jewelry nicely. You'll want to remove the glass from the frame, or if you have frames that are missing glass already this is a great way to repurpose them! Also, make sure the frame you select has a stand already or be willing to purchase an easel of some sort. (Tip - I often use plate holders as little easels for displaying purses and jewelry, so if you have a big enough one you could put the frame in it like an easel.) The final thing to keep in mind when selecting your frame is "What will you be displaying?" A normal 8x10 frame is great for earrings, but you wouldn't be able to put many necklaces on it. A larger frame will give you room for more necklaces or bigger pieces of jewelry.

Step Two - Select Your Backing

The "Too Busy" Background

I tried a few a few different backgrounds before landing on the green one above. The first one I picked had too much going on. I was trying to be thrifty and use up some existing contact paper I had, but it just didn't work (see photo). So the next step I took was trying to find a background that would make my jewelry pop, but still either look vintage or match my brand. My business cards and promotional materials all use a green striped pattern and I decided I'd find some scrap fabric in similar greens to my promotional materials. The bright, limey green really did make a difference. The color attracts attention, while not stealing any of the glory from the jewelry. I also picked up some ribbon because I realized to keep my wire from sagging too much I was going to need to pop in a support staple and I wanted to hide that. I recommend a solid color or a very subtle pattern when picking your background. I also suggest either contact paper or a thin fabric. These materials will hold up better than just paper and help hide the back of the photo frame.

Step Three - Assembly

For this you'll need the following items:

• Your chosen fabric or contact paper
• Staple gun and staples
• Photo hanging wire or jewelry making wire
• Wire cutters
• Scissors 

The process:

1. Place your fabric on a smooth surface, put the back of the photo frame on it and measure 1/2in away from each side of the frame backing. This will be the piece of fabric you'll attach to the frame.
2. Cut out your fabric pattern.
3. Using the staple gun attach the fabric to the frame backing - be sure to keep the fabric taunt so there are no wrinkles on the board. 
4. Measure out your wire lengths. Make the wire one inch longer than the photo frame board, giving  you a 1/2in on each side. Cut out four pieces of wire for an 8x10 frame. (If you're hanging longer pieces of jewelry you'll need to adjust your measurements to fit. Start with one piece of wire and see what space you need for your pieces)
5. Staple wire to the back of the frame - make sure it's taunt. Space each wire about an 1 1/2in apart and apply all four wires. 
6. Staple the center of the wires on the front of the frame for support. 
7. Cut a 1in wide ribbon piece to be 1in longer than the middle of the picture frame. 
8. Cover the center support staples with ribbon and staple ribbon to the back of the frame board. 
9. Insert frame board into the frame and secure. 
10. Attach your earrings!

Key Take Aways:

• Pick a frame with at least 1in in depth
• Think about what you're displaying and choose the right size frame
• Pick a background that doesn't overwhelm your jewelry
• Use a fabric or contact paper background for long-term wear